The British government will soon have a consulate-general in Chongqing in an effort to further promote economic and cultural contacts in China.

This will be the fourth British consulate-general in China following those in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong.

During British Prime Minister Tony Blair's 1998 China visit, the British government expressed its willingness to put a consulate in Chongqing, one of the most populous cities in the world with 30 million people.

China's central government has provided preferential policies and financial aid to turn Chongqing into an economic hub to help promote the overall development of the central and western China.

Japan and Canada established consulates in Chongqing in 1998.

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State Councilor Meets ROK Minister

Chinese State Councilor Luo Gan met in Beijing January 24 with Kim Jung-Kil, justice minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Both sides exchanged views on the cooperation between the judicial departments of the two countries, and other issues of common interest.

Kim Jung-Kil is in Beijing at the invitation of Gao Changli, Chinese minister of justice. During his trip, Kim Jung-Kil and Gao signed an agreement on judicial cooperation between China and the ROK. (Xinhua)